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actuate

[ak-choo-eyt]

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR actuate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ac·tu·at·ed, ac·tu·at·ing.

to incite or move to action; impel; motivate: actuated by selfish motives.

to put into action; start a process; turn on: to actuate a machine.

Origin of actuate

1590–1600; < Medieval Latin āctuāt(us) reduced to action (past participle of āctuāre), equivalent to Latin āctu(s) (see act) + -ātus -ate¹

Related formsac·tu·a·tion, nounde·ac·tu·ate, verb (used with object), de·ac·tu·at·ed, de·ac·tu·at·ing.self-ac·tu·at·ing, adjectiveun·ac·tu·at·ed, adjective

Can be confusedactivate actuate stimulate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for actuate

activate, prompt, inspire, propel, move, influence, arouse, animate, quicken, incite, motivate, cause, instigate, excite, induce, rouse, spur, energize, drive, impel

Examples from the Web for actuate

Historical Examples of actuate

In Fig. 213 the key is about to actuate the locking mechanism.
How it Works
Archibald Williams
Is their purpose to appeal to our understanding, and actuate our humanity?
The Life Of Abraham Lincoln
Ward H. Lamon
The bill covers not only pieces or controller records, but also the machines which they actuate.
Arguments before the Committee on Patents of the House of Representatives, conjointly with the Senate Committee on Patents, on H.R. 19853, to amend and consolidate the acts respecting copyright
United States Committee on Patents
If thoughts do not actuate it, your distrustful fears and cares will vanish.
A Christian Directory (Volume 1 of 4)
Richard Baxter
And this all believers should maintain and actuate in themselves.
A Christian Directory (Volume 1 of 4)
Richard Baxter

British Dictionary definitions for actuate

actuate

verb (tr)

to put into action or mechanical motion

to motivate or incite into actionactuated by unworthy desires

Derived Formsactuation, nounactuator, noun

Word Origin for actuate

C16: from Medieval Latin actuātus, from actuāre to incite to action, from Latin āctus act

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for actuate

v.

1590s, from Medieval Latin actuatus, past participle of actuare, from Latin actus (see act (n.)). Related: Actuated; actuating.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper